This morning we met at this church in town; we were a group of 8 going inland to see the mission church in San Javier - there was us, 4 from the Seattle area, our guide Oscar, and his 3 year old daughter April, who actually was born in September.
The first part of the road was newly paved, but soon we were on gravel - a rough and twisty road that crossed shallow rivers several times, and climbed into the mountains. We stopped to see a huge old fig tree growing out of a rocky cliff, to see rock paintings beside a river, and at Oscar's friend's ranch to fix a flat tire. While that was going on we talked to the ranch owners - they raise cattle, have 6 horses, and goats (they make goat cheese).
We drove through San Javier to his in-law's farm, where we had lunch; while it was being prepared, we were shown around to see the large vegetable garden beside the river, then we saw the goats and pigs - they raise their goats for meat.
Next stop was the mission church, completed in 1758. We walked behind the church to see the 300 year old olive tree, and met a local who invited us to tour his farm, where he grows vegetables and as well has orange, lemon and olive trees. On the way back to the van we saw a huge tarantula - a very photogenic one!
Church photo by kenjiku (Flickr Creative Commons)
